May 26, 2015

Most people have heard of veneers. Many people have seen the “Hollywood Smile” and attributed it to veneer treatment. Many, however, do not really know what veneers are or what the benefits and limitations are. At Matthew Nawrocki DMD, MS, we are dedicated to educating readers of our blog about oral health and issues in dentistry. Today we will talk about veneers. We hope you learn something and enjoy!

What are Veneers?

Dental veneers are most often fabricated from porcelain but can be made of dental composite or acrylic as well. They are extremely thin shells that fit over the outer surface of a tooth. The porcelain is most commonly relatively translucent. Most often the tooth is slightly reduced in size to create space and a good surface to adhere the veneer to the tooth. The veneer is then bonded to the tooth. This bond is extremely strong and as a result the veneer is no longer fragile and brittle. The results can be transformative.

What are the Benefits of Veneers?

Veneers can be used to remedy a variety of problems. They can be used to mask discolored teeth, fill in spaces between teeth, correct rotated teeth, correct slight misalignments with teeth, and create ideal shapes.

Are there Limitations to Veneer Treatment?

Veneers definitely have limitations. As stated above, veneers are extremely thin shells. These shells can only be placed in non-stress bearing areas and have limitations to the thickness that can be used. That said, extremely large spaces or large misalignments cannot be corrected with veneers. In certain situations, orthodontics or crown treatments are the treatment of choice. Often veneers can be used in combination with other treatments to obtain the ideal result.

How do I Know if Veneers are for Me?

Treatment planning in dentistry is a complex decision making process. Truly the only way to determine if veneers can be beneficial for your particular situation is to visit your dentist for a consultation. Dr. Nawrocki is happy to discuss the different treatment options as well as what to expect with veneer treatment or a combination of treatments.

The American Dental Association has a great educational site called MouthHealthy. Feel free to visit the page to read more about veneers. In addition, below is a good video illustrating the use of veneers.

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